On this week’s episode of The Bachelor Canada, Chantelle received the sad news that her grandfather had passed away back home while she was in Victoria, B.C. filming the show. The 25-year-old pastor from Sylvan Lake made the difficult decision to leave Brad Smith behind and return home for the funeral. We caught up with the bubbly blond on a conference call Thursday morning. Here’s a (lightly edited) transcript of the chat. And yes, she does dish on what she really thinks of Whitney and her choice for who the Bachelor should end up with:

Question: I’ve never seen a bachelor episode where the girls in the house were actually sad to see someone leave early. How was it for you leaving early?

Answer: it was so hard that week. When I got the call, my heart just dropped. It definitely was, “Should I stay, should I go? What is the best choice?” I just had to go with what I really felt in that moment and that was to be with my family.

Q: Why do you think being a virgin was such a big deal and do you think it impacted Brad’s decision? In some places, that’s a plus, not a minus.

A: There was discussion in the house with me not being real and honest with Brad about who I was, as such a religious girl and someone who does not have as much experience dating. So I felt that to be honest with Brad, to be real with the girls, that I should share this part of my life. I did and I am so glad I did. Brad is so amazing, so genuine, that I knew he’d take it well. But it was still something I wanted to share because if it came to the fantasy suite, I’m not that type of girl. It would be good for him to know in the beginning and not the end.

Q: Going into the show, how concerned were you with how you were going to be portrayed, because everything is in the editing. And how do you feel now after you’ve seen the episodes?

A: Oh my goodness. I was so concerned. That was my biggest thing was how are they going to edit me? What was shown going to be truly me? I am so grateful how they did show me because I really feel – and so do my friends and family – that who was shown on TV is Chantelle. One of my girlfriends said, “I feel like I am talking with you as I watch the show.” So that for me was a huge relief.

Q: Do you think it shows a “realistic” experience of your time on The Bachelor Canada?

A: The viewers get to see just a glimpse of what happened. That is a huge part of the process that you get to see and experience. But again, so much happens in that week where the viewers only get to see an hour. Is it genuine that you guys get to see what we experience? Absolutely, but you guys only see a glimpse of it.

Q: You’re not the typical Bachelor contestant. Why did you sign up in the first place and what did your family think?

A: To be honest, I don’t watch too much TV, but what I do watch is The Bachelor and The Bachelorette. I love that show. My girlfriends all said that if I don’t try out, they’d sign me up. So I actually drove up to the auditions with my dad. He’s as spontaneous as me. It was such a great day. The crew was amazing. I thought that if I did get this opportunity, why not take it? It’s something fun, I’m going to be me. I’m going to be true to who I am. My family supported me the whole way through.

Q: If you had continued on the show, how would you have handled the overnight date?

A: I would not do the overnight stay. I would say, “Sorry honey. You have to wait for the wedding.”

Pastor Chantelle managed to create a burlesque routine that she was comfortable with on an earlier episode of The Bachelor Canada.

Q: What’s your reaction to Brad sending four women home on Wednesday? And do you think he is moving through the process quickly?

A: I was so shocked, so incredibly shocked when I found out that four were going home. In my opinion, I felt like the process was moving too fast. Even if I got that one-on-one date, for him to come home to meet my family the next week, it was a huge step for me. But you know what? It’s his journey and what he feels is right. And I totally support him. He wants to get to know the final four girls even more. I totally respect his decision for moving faster.

Q: Do you think you’d get a rose if you didn’t have to leave early?

A: To tell you the truth, I wrestled with that. Would I have stayed or would he have let me go? I genuinely felt that his heart had really connected with a few of the girls. And I may get a rose, but I don’t’ think I’d be the final girl in the end.

Q: You are a fan favourite and your time was cut short. Would you be interested in doing The Bachelorette Canada if asked.

A: You know, it would be an honour to be asked. It would be fun, but a part of me is “Twenty-five guys? That is a whole other journey.” I would really have to consider that one. I have no idea.

Q: Why don’t you think you would end up winning?

A: I think Brad connected with some of the other girls on such a deeper level. I’m quite different. I am the pastor that is a virgin. I think we had quite a few differences that we could have easily worked through, but I think in this process, honestly the girls he chose were more compatible with him.

Q: So do you think it’s the format of the program or that these girls are more suited to the process or that you were just not compatible?

A: I think a little bit of both. I definitely wanted more time with Brad, because there was definitely was chemistry, there totally was a connection, so that factors in. But then I think, some of the other girls were more compatible than I was. I think Brad felt that too, even though there was a connection with us, he felt hat there was a stronger connection with a couple of the other girls.

Q: Gabrielle called Whitney “the devil.” You’re a pastor. What do you think about Whitney and do you think she snookered you out of that one on one date?

A: To be honest, I was so shocked watching the episode last night. I had no clue that she snuck out and went to the hotel. Actually, I was quite hurt to be honest. I could have got the one on one. . . . but I have to say that even though she is competitive and aggressive, there is a real sweet side of Whitney. We would have coffee together every morning. She is sweet, but she is very competitive as well. She wants Brad. She is making that very evident, going 110 percent in every direction to get Brad.

Q: Have you been getting a lot of reaction from friends, family, fans?

A: I am so grateful. Everyone’s been so supportive of my decision. I was really nervous how people were going to react, but everyone has been so encouraging and supportive. l honestly feel so blessed with family, friends and even fans.

Q: Who do you think is the best match for Brad?

A: That’s a tough one. But to be honest, I think Kara she is athletic, she is gorgeous in and out, and they have such a great chemistry. I could see them lasting for a long time.

A: I run it out of Sunnyside Christian Retreat Centre. That’s where I work. I started this organization called Makaway Kamp. I run this kids’ camp in the summer. It’s all for kids that are handpicked from the community or can’t afford to go to camp. If they want to go to sunnysidecamp.org it does have the camp on there.

Q: Are you still single? And what are your plans for the near future?

A: Yes, I am. And I really like my job right now. I love the camp that I do. I would love to travel some more, that’s more passion. And absolutely, humanitarian work is also my passion.

Q: What kind of man would you be looking for?

A: I would love a guy who is funny, a family man. Someone who would go to church with you would be awesome. And somebody who loves me and values me for who I am.

Q: There’s an unusual setting to this courting. How does the competitive aspect influence developing feelings on The Bachelor Canada?

A: I think that all the girls went into this with the genuine, “I want to fall in love.” But, of course, in every person there is that competitive, you want to win kind of feel. But I so impressed with all the girls. They were all thinking “If I don’t like him, I’m not staying.” They were all so real and honest. Even Bianka, she is genuinely,” I need to know this guy. I really like him.” I admire her so much. She asked Brad so many questions. I really think all these girls are truly genuine.

Q: it’s portrayed that all the girls, except Bianka, went head over heels for Brad pretty quickly. Do you think it was real emotion or just getting caught up with things?

A: Brad is an amazing guy. He is so genuine and so sweet. To be honest, the last eight of girls, we all had a connection with Brad. It was different levels and different connections, but it was real for all eight of us. That’s what’s so interesting in this whole process. Yes, it’s exciting to go on these fancy dates, but he is a great guy.

Q: What do the people who you work with think of you being on the show?

A: They think it’s so funny because I am such a camp girl. Some days I’m doing maintenance work at camp, doing construction. The next day, I’m doing Breakfast Television. They think it’s hilarious. I work with people that are quite a bit older than me and they are so supportive. They think it is so fun that a small-town girl is on TV.

Q: On the show, you mentioned that you hadn’t dated much in the past few years. Has the show opened you up to dating some more?

A: Absolutely. I realize this is something that I do want. That’s why I chose to go on the show, because I am getting older and I do want to fall in love. I am such a busy person with my church, with the organization I run. I really do want to fall in love. That’s why I came on the show. I’m definitely like, “Okay, Chantelle, it’s time.”

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